Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 116: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

262 cash register and run off with the bull picture?” He looked at his partner with a fond expression. “Not quite as bad as that,” laughed Knox, ‘‘ but I’ve had a lot to do. I’m the lord high executioner now, you know.” He hummed the familiar tune from “ The Mikado,” with its jolly lilt of foolishness. ‘“‘ Yeah—they told me about you gettin’ yourself elected,” drawled Charlie. “‘ How did you do it, you young scamp—stack the ballot box?” ‘“ Perhaps—and by voting early and often myself.” Charlie’s heart glowed at the pleasant banter. It was this that he had missed most during his convalescence. He sighed happily. ‘Wal, I aim to be out and ridin’ in a few days, and then you'll have something to do, Mr. Marshal, keepin’ me out o’ trouble. Your office won’t be such a siney-cure.” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “‘ Charlie!” reproved Knox. “Tt means rest cure,” grinned Charlie, proud of his use of the unusual term. ‘“ You see, I’ve been improvin’ my mind, me and Tris—” “ Tris?” falted Knox. “Yeah, that sorrel girl that teaches school here,’’ explained Charlie with naiveté. “ Stick around and I’ll introduce you some- time,’ he added ironically, meanwhile studying the face of the youth furtively. Knox said nothing. He seemed to be in a kind of abstraction, from which Charlie was forced to arouse him. “Rub that frown off your face, Mike!” he commanded abruptly. “It don’t look right.” Knox came back with a visible effort. “Was I frowning? Weight of responsibil- ity, old man. ‘ Uneasy crowns the head that wears a rest,’ and all that, you know.” The forced note of gayety was apparent to Charlie. He loked at his partner with eyes full of sympathy. There was no con- cealing his own feelings. Charlie was as transparent as a mountain stream. “Sit down and stay a while,” he in- vited, while he was preparing himself in his effort at mediation. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. Knox took off his cap and surveyed it ruefully before crowding it into his pocket. “* Guess I'll have to rest my head with a dif- ferent crown,” he went on_ jocularly. ‘“‘ Have to get me a broad-brimmed Stet- son—nothing like dressing the part. Tell me,” he broke off suddenly, as he pointed to the star adorning his front. ‘‘ How do you like my insignia of office?” “¢ Star-spangled mutt!” ejaculated Char- lie. ‘“¢ Eh, what?” “‘ That’s what I said,’ repeated Charlie. ‘* Anybody that would act like you do about a girl!” If Knox was surprised hedid not be- tray it. ‘“‘T get you, Charlie. I suppose I must have seemed rather foolish to you—to let sentiment interefere with business—but it’s all over now.” ; Charlie said not a word, but listened pa- tient as a stone. ‘“‘'Yes, you were right,” the young man continued. “ I’ve thought a lot about what you said about the diverting influence of women, and—well, from now on you need have no fears about me. You’ve been aw- fully patient, Charlie, and I’m free to tell you that hereafter I shall have but two in- terests—the store and affairs—of State,” he finished with an attempt at jocularity. “State Lunatic Asylum!” broke from Charlie. “What!” Knox looked up quickly. “Just what I said!” exploded Charlie furiously. ‘You oughta be there and locked up in a padded cell, you young damn fool, raving maniac!” It was Knox’s turn for blank amazement. Never did he recall, having seen Charlie so vehement. And his words were wholly with- out meaning. He wondered if Charlie’s ill- ness had not temporarily unbalanced him. With something of the kind in mind he at- tempted soothing. ‘There, there, Charlie,” said he, rising hastily. ‘‘ You'll be all right in a moment. You—”’ ‘“¢T never will be all right, I tell you,” re- torted Charlie, ‘ until you get married!” “My Heavens!” said Knox, sitting down weakly. MICLOOOK C©